What was the corps? Why were they so called? Are they embodied in another regiment?E. G. C.
[The explanation of the name may be seen in the following extract from The London Gazette of 1709: "His Excellency proceeded to the Castle, attended by the Privy-Council, with the Guard of Battel-Axes" ('N.E.D.,' s.v.). Several works in which information may be found are mentioned at 8ᵗʰ S. vi. 18.]
Vulgate.—No critical edition of the Vulgate has, I believe, been printed in this country at anything approaching to a mode-rate price. Such seems desirable. Will not one of our great publishing firms—say one of our University presses—oblige us with it?
"February fill dyke."—This locution is so common as to be "proverbial." Every one whom I ask knows it; and I observe that "Luke Ellis," in a letter to The Echo, uses it, but offers no explanation of its origin. Can any reader explain it?
I ought to add that I have searched at the B.M. both of Dr. Brewer's books, dictionaries, and other possible sources of information, but in vain. As a matter of "statistics" it is not true. Edward P. Wolferstan.
[We have been long familiar with the weather saying, "January freeze pot to fire; February fill dyke; March comes and mucks it out." See also 9ᵗʰ S. v. 188, 277, 384, 502.]
Von Gordon Family.—In December, 1889, General Hellmuth von Gordon died at Dresden. At the present moment there are several Von Gordons in the German army, notably Hauptmann von Gordon, of the Hanseatic Infantry Regiment (No. 27), and Oberlieutenants Franz and Adolf, of the Guard Cuirassier Regiment. Can any of your German readers give information about this family? Is it of Scots origin?
Cromer Street.—I shall be pleased to have some information about the history and architectural eccentricities of No. 123, Cromer Street. Built at the back of a paved yard, about 8 ft. below the ground-level, the front wall, terminating just above the second floor, is ornamented in a remarkable manner. In addition to several busts, plaques, and grotesque heads, there are two shields bearing long inscriptions in Hebrew characters, now almost obliterated with paint. A floriated design in relief runs up both sides, and the roof-line is crowned by a stone lion. The present occupiers have no information other than that "it was occupied by a Mr. Lucas, who was a builder, and did work probably for a good many of the Jewish families in the neighbourhood." Some better explanation must be forthcoming. The difference of level seems to indicate that it was built before the thoroughfare and neighbouring property was laid out. Its appearance, and the name of the court at the side (Lucas Place, formerly Greenland Grove), suggest its first comparative isolation; and the inscription and ornamentation justify a belief in some association with Richard Brothers or one of his enthusiastic converts. These are only suggested clues to what is probably an interesting incident in local history.
The Horseferry, Westminster.—Was this place ever recognized as one from which distances were officially measured? I raise this query, as on the wall of a wharf a few yards north of Lambeth Bridge, and either now or very recently in the occupation of Alcott's Paving and Construction Company, Limited, nearly opposite Romney (late Vine) Street, and numbered 65, Millbank Street, is a diamond-shaped iron tablet bearing the inscription "2½ miles from the Post Office." There is no date or other indication of the age of the tablet (which is in a good state of preservation), nor any clue as to the authority by which it was placed in position. I suppose the post office alluded to is that in Lombard Street, as Walcott, in 'Memorials of Westminster,' 1849, says:—
"The Government contractor, Mr. Vidler, lived in a house that had been built in the middle of Millbank by Sir John Crosse, Bart., the brother of the brewer; and to it the mailcoaches, before the unromantic days of railroads, used to be driven in annual procession upon the King's birthday, from Lombard Street. At noon, the horses belonging to the different mails being decked out with new harness—the guards and coachmen decorated with beautiful nosegays—the postboys in scarlet jackets on horseback in advance, the cavalcade set out; and at 5 p.m. returned to the General Post Office."
The tablet has often excited not a little comment, but, so far as I can trace, nothing has been definitely learnt about it. I can find no mention of the place in any of the books of roads I have been able to look at.
Little of Halstead.—I should be glad if you or one of your readers could give me information as to the meaning of the following arms and crest, or tell me how they might have been obtained. They are given in 'A Visitation of Essex,' 1664-8, and the same
